This is going to be a slow build, but I got the itch to work on something, and started in.
This is a 1954 Schwinn Hornet that I picked up along with Skirt Chaser a few years back. The bike is 100% original, with the tank, fenders, rack, light, chain guard, etc. The chain guard and pedal are in a box, but I have them.
The sheet metal on the fenders and rack is in remarkably good shape - usually these are rusted and mangled.
The big problem with this bike is the paint on the frame. The black gunk on the frame simply will not come off. Not sure what it is, but anything that may strip it will certainly strip the paint off, which means the whole thing needs to be painted.
I tore apart the front end, and the first thing I looked at was the light. I'm going to try naval jelly and a wire brush to try and clean it up. If that fails, I may have to fabricate a couple parts. I *may* retrofit this with an LED, but we'll see...
On a positive note, the lens was in good shape. I'll be able to reuse this, for sure.
Since she has to be repainted, I sat down with the wife and looked at some of the authentic Schwinn colors, and decided that Holiday Rose and white looked good, but a bit conservative. A brighter pink will give her a bit more pop.
That led me to look at other colors from the era - and I found this - a Tropical Rose and Snowshoe White 1955 Fairlane. Close enough to the original color for the period, and a bit more striking contrast.
About the name... When I thought about naming her, I thought pink, girly and 1950's, and, well, she practically named herself. Jayne, after Jayne Mansfield.
This is a 1954 Schwinn Hornet that I picked up along with Skirt Chaser a few years back. The bike is 100% original, with the tank, fenders, rack, light, chain guard, etc. The chain guard and pedal are in a box, but I have them.
The sheet metal on the fenders and rack is in remarkably good shape - usually these are rusted and mangled.
The big problem with this bike is the paint on the frame. The black gunk on the frame simply will not come off. Not sure what it is, but anything that may strip it will certainly strip the paint off, which means the whole thing needs to be painted.
I tore apart the front end, and the first thing I looked at was the light. I'm going to try naval jelly and a wire brush to try and clean it up. If that fails, I may have to fabricate a couple parts. I *may* retrofit this with an LED, but we'll see...
On a positive note, the lens was in good shape. I'll be able to reuse this, for sure.
Since she has to be repainted, I sat down with the wife and looked at some of the authentic Schwinn colors, and decided that Holiday Rose and white looked good, but a bit conservative. A brighter pink will give her a bit more pop.
That led me to look at other colors from the era - and I found this - a Tropical Rose and Snowshoe White 1955 Fairlane. Close enough to the original color for the period, and a bit more striking contrast.
About the name... When I thought about naming her, I thought pink, girly and 1950's, and, well, she practically named herself. Jayne, after Jayne Mansfield.
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